What happens when you get a DUI (an arrest and conviction fordrunk driving) depends on what state you live in. But court appearances, fines, and fees are likely.Getting a DUI can also result in negative consequences for your relationships, job, social life, finances, and mental health.
It’s pretty common for people to experience depression and anxiety after a first-time DUI. But getting a DUI may result in a host of emotions—includingsadness,anger,guilt, andshame. Here we take a look at what happens when you get a DUI and what you need to know to ensure you get the help you need.
Verywell / JR Bee
Being ArrestedIf you are arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, you will be placed into a police vehicle and taken to the nearest police station or jail, where you’ll be photographed and fingerprinted.This can be a frightening experience that can bring on anxiety and panic, especially for first-time offenders.In some states, you can be released immediately if someone comes to jail, pays your bail, and drives you home. Other times, you may have to stay in jail until you can see a judge, who decides when you can be released.
Being Arrested
If you are arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, you will be placed into a police vehicle and taken to the nearest police station or jail, where you’ll be photographed and fingerprinted.This can be a frightening experience that can bring on anxiety and panic, especially for first-time offenders.
In some states, you can be released immediately if someone comes to jail, pays your bail, and drives you home. Other times, you may have to stay in jail until you can see a judge, who decides when you can be released.
Appearing in CourtAnother thing that happens when you get a DUI is that you will be given a ticket or a summons at the time of your arrest. This tells you the date that you mustappear in courtto face driving under the influence charges.In today’s courts, if you deny the charges, plead not guilty, and try to fight the case, chances are you (and everyone else in the courtroom) will see a video of you failingfield sobriety tests. This footage can be taken from the officer’s dashboard camera or from the jail where you were processed.For some drivers, it feels humiliating to have to appear in public to answer charges of driving drunk.
Appearing in Court
Another thing that happens when you get a DUI is that you will be given a ticket or a summons at the time of your arrest. This tells you the date that you mustappear in courtto face driving under the influence charges.
In today’s courts, if you deny the charges, plead not guilty, and try to fight the case, chances are you (and everyone else in the courtroom) will see a video of you failingfield sobriety tests. This footage can be taken from the officer’s dashboard camera or from the jail where you were processed.
For some drivers, it feels humiliating to have to appear in public to answer charges of driving drunk.
Losing Your Driver’s LicenseIn all states, your sentence will include the loss of driving privileges for a period of time, even for a first-time DUI conviction. Some states offer a hardship license that allows you to drive to work or school during the time your license is revoked or suspended, but your driving privileges will still be drastically curtailed.In some states, if you refuse to take the field sobriety test or submit to abreathalyzeror blood test, your driver’s license is suspended immediately, even before you go to court.In addition to the guilt and shame you may be feeling, a suspended license may make you feel like a burden as you may have no choice but to lean on friends and loved ones to get from one place to another.
Losing Your Driver’s License
In all states, your sentence will include the loss of driving privileges for a period of time, even for a first-time DUI conviction. Some states offer a hardship license that allows you to drive to work or school during the time your license is revoked or suspended, but your driving privileges will still be drastically curtailed.
In some states, if you refuse to take the field sobriety test or submit to abreathalyzeror blood test, your driver’s license is suspended immediately, even before you go to court.
In addition to the guilt and shame you may be feeling, a suspended license may make you feel like a burden as you may have no choice but to lean on friends and loved ones to get from one place to another.
Paying Fines
For example, if property was damaged, someone was injured, or a child was endangered as a result of your driving while drunk, the fines can be increased. In most states, you also have to pay court costs associated with your case.
Serving Probation
How Many DUIs Is a Felony?
Regardless of the terms, getting a DUI results in another added expense associated with the probation sentence. Typically, this is a monthly fee that you pay to cover the cost of administering and supervising your sentence.
Serving Jail TimeIn a growing number of states, jail terms have become mandatory, even for first-time drunk driving offenders. Typically, first-offender jail terms are one or two days in length and can be served on a weekend. But it is still jail time, which carries consequences—including consequences for your mental health.For repeat offenders, jail is mandatory in most states and the terms are longer than a couple of days. If there are aggravating circumstances connected with your DUI case, such as having prior convictions, theDUI may be a felony versus a misdemeanor, which means that penalties such as jail time can be increased.
Serving Jail Time
In a growing number of states, jail terms have become mandatory, even for first-time drunk driving offenders. Typically, first-offender jail terms are one or two days in length and can be served on a weekend. But it is still jail time, which carries consequences—including consequences for your mental health.
For repeat offenders, jail is mandatory in most states and the terms are longer than a couple of days. If there are aggravating circumstances connected with your DUI case, such as having prior convictions, theDUI may be a felony versus a misdemeanor, which means that penalties such as jail time can be increased.
Undergoing Alcohol EvaluationIn almost all jurisdictions, if you want your driving privileges returned after a drunk driving conviction, you will have to complete analcohol and drug education and assessment program.A trained counselor will evaluate your pattern of alcohol consumption to determine if you have an alcohol use disorder.Typically, the evaluator will ask you a series of questions about how alcohol affects your life.Depending on the results of your evaluation, you may then be required to attend acourt-approved alcohol treatment program. This program can help you better understand and remedy your relationship with alcohol.Could You Have an Alcohol Use Disorder?
Undergoing Alcohol Evaluation
In almost all jurisdictions, if you want your driving privileges returned after a drunk driving conviction, you will have to complete analcohol and drug education and assessment program.
A trained counselor will evaluate your pattern of alcohol consumption to determine if you have an alcohol use disorder.Typically, the evaluator will ask you a series of questions about how alcohol affects your life.
Depending on the results of your evaluation, you may then be required to attend acourt-approved alcohol treatment program. This program can help you better understand and remedy your relationship with alcohol.
Could You Have an Alcohol Use Disorder?
Paying More for Auto InsuranceIn most states, getting a DUI can result in needing a special insurance policy, known as SR-22 insurance, before you can drive a vehicle. The cost of SR-22 insurance, in states where it is required, can double or even triple your premiums.Usually, you will be required to carry this type of auto insurance for a period of three years. although the DUI can stay on your record for life.Penalties for Drunk Driving Are Becoming More Severe
Paying More for Auto Insurance
In most states, getting a DUI can result in needing a special insurance policy, known as SR-22 insurance, before you can drive a vehicle. The cost of SR-22 insurance, in states where it is required, can double or even triple your premiums.
Usually, you will be required to carry this type of auto insurance for a period of three years. although the DUI can stay on your record for life.
Penalties for Drunk Driving Are Becoming More Severe
Using an Ignition Interlock DeviceWhat happens when you get a DUI and own a vehicle? In a growing number of states, drivers who are convicted of DUI are required to install ignition interlock devices on their personal vehicles. Some states are requiring these devices for first-time offenders as well.The ignition interlock device requires the driver to have an alcohol-free breath test result before the vehicle will start. The installation of these devices and the monthly fees associated with them can be very costly.
Using an Ignition Interlock Device
What happens when you get a DUI and own a vehicle? In a growing number of states, drivers who are convicted of DUI are required to install ignition interlock devices on their personal vehicles. Some states are requiring these devices for first-time offenders as well.
The ignition interlock device requires the driver to have an alcohol-free breath test result before the vehicle will start. The installation of these devices and the monthly fees associated with them can be very costly.
Experiencing Mental Health ChallengesBeyond worrying about the logistics of a DUI, it’s important to take a serious look at why and how this happened. Was driving drunk a one-time incident, or just the first time you got caught?Many people charged with a DUI have also been diagnosed with one or more of the following mental illnesses:Alcohol use disorderBipolar disorderMajor depressionObsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD)Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)If you survived a drunk-driving crash, you may be at risk for PTSD and experience symptoms including nightmares, emotional numbness, difficulty sleeping, concentration issues, jumpiness, irritability, and hostility.There’s no shame in getting help if you think you have a problem with alcohol, mental illness, or both. Seeking counseling (which may be a mandatory part of your DUI sentence) can help youcut back onorquit drinkingand offer strategies for coping with the emotional trauma that can accompany a DUI.If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Experiencing Mental Health Challenges
Beyond worrying about the logistics of a DUI, it’s important to take a serious look at why and how this happened. Was driving drunk a one-time incident, or just the first time you got caught?
Many people charged with a DUI have also been diagnosed with one or more of the following mental illnesses:
If you survived a drunk-driving crash, you may be at risk for PTSD and experience symptoms including nightmares, emotional numbness, difficulty sleeping, concentration issues, jumpiness, irritability, and hostility.
There’s no shame in getting help if you think you have a problem with alcohol, mental illness, or both. Seeking counseling (which may be a mandatory part of your DUI sentence) can help youcut back onorquit drinkingand offer strategies for coping with the emotional trauma that can accompany a DUI.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
A Word From Verywell
Getting a DUI may also result in emotional consequences such as depression or PTSD, which affects your mental health. Seeking help foralcohol addictioncan be a good first step to not just resolving any existing issue with alcohol, but also to show the court that you take your DUI seriously—and that you’ll do what it takes to not drive drunk again.
4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ying Y, Wu C, Chang K.The effectiveness of drinking and driving policies for different alcohol-related fatalities: A quantile regression analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2013;10(10):4628-4644. doi:10.3390/ijerph10104628Mothers Against Drunk Driving.DUI felony laws.Karjalainen K, Lintonen T, Joukamaa M, Lillsunde P.Mental disorders associated with driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs: A register-based study.Eur Addict Res. 2013;19(3):113-20. doi:10.1159/000342569Peller AJ, Najavits LM, Nelson SE, Labrie RA, Shaffer HJ.PTSD among a treatment sample of repeat DUI offenders.J Trauma Stress.2010;23(4):468-73. doi:10.1002/jts.20550
4 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ying Y, Wu C, Chang K.The effectiveness of drinking and driving policies for different alcohol-related fatalities: A quantile regression analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2013;10(10):4628-4644. doi:10.3390/ijerph10104628Mothers Against Drunk Driving.DUI felony laws.Karjalainen K, Lintonen T, Joukamaa M, Lillsunde P.Mental disorders associated with driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs: A register-based study.Eur Addict Res. 2013;19(3):113-20. doi:10.1159/000342569Peller AJ, Najavits LM, Nelson SE, Labrie RA, Shaffer HJ.PTSD among a treatment sample of repeat DUI offenders.J Trauma Stress.2010;23(4):468-73. doi:10.1002/jts.20550
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ying Y, Wu C, Chang K.The effectiveness of drinking and driving policies for different alcohol-related fatalities: A quantile regression analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2013;10(10):4628-4644. doi:10.3390/ijerph10104628Mothers Against Drunk Driving.DUI felony laws.Karjalainen K, Lintonen T, Joukamaa M, Lillsunde P.Mental disorders associated with driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs: A register-based study.Eur Addict Res. 2013;19(3):113-20. doi:10.1159/000342569Peller AJ, Najavits LM, Nelson SE, Labrie RA, Shaffer HJ.PTSD among a treatment sample of repeat DUI offenders.J Trauma Stress.2010;23(4):468-73. doi:10.1002/jts.20550
Ying Y, Wu C, Chang K.The effectiveness of drinking and driving policies for different alcohol-related fatalities: A quantile regression analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2013;10(10):4628-4644. doi:10.3390/ijerph10104628
Mothers Against Drunk Driving.DUI felony laws.
Karjalainen K, Lintonen T, Joukamaa M, Lillsunde P.Mental disorders associated with driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs: A register-based study.Eur Addict Res. 2013;19(3):113-20. doi:10.1159/000342569
Peller AJ, Najavits LM, Nelson SE, Labrie RA, Shaffer HJ.PTSD among a treatment sample of repeat DUI offenders.J Trauma Stress.2010;23(4):468-73. doi:10.1002/jts.20550
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